Shift-key attachment for type-writing machines.



I I L. mcdss. &'L'-. A, B AIER.

sum KEY umcnmsm rofn TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

' APPLICATION mko we. 9. m5. 1,184,532. Patented May 2a, 1910.

ATNT crate.

LOUIS moons AND LOUIS AFIBAIER, or SEATTLE, wasnme'roivi SHIFT-KEY ATTACHMENT FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 9, 1915. Serial No. 44,573.

- The present invention relates to improvements. in shift key attachments for type-' writing machines, and consists in the con stru-ctions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which similar reference symbols indicate corresponding parts in the several views: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved attachment shown connected to the key'lever verse sectional view on of a typewriter illustrated in dotted lines. Fig; 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the casing. Fig. 3 is a transthe line. .3'3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the connecting rods and clamping device; and Fig. 5 is fragmentary perspective view of the typewriter key lever and upper connecting rod.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates the key lever of a typewriter, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and supported on a table 2 in which is provided an opening 3 for the passage of the upper connecting rod.

The key lever 1, as more particularly seen in Fig. 5, is perforated at 4 to receive a projection 5 formed by bending the iipper end of a connecting rod 6 at substantially right angles to the latter. On the connecting rod 6 is secured, in any suitable manner, a sleeve 7, on the upper end of which is formed a yieldable bow spring 8 having its outer free end arranged to normally rest against the outer end of the projection 5, as clearly disclosed in Fig. 5, and whereby said rod- 6 is maintained in connection with the key 1ever 1.

The rod 6 is slidably connected to a similar rod 9, and a two-part clamp device, illustrated in Fig. 4 as being comprised of a pair of sections 10 and 11 formed with complemental semi-cylindrical grooves, engages the rods 6 and 9, said sections 10 and 11 being held in tight frictional engagement by a screw or other device 12. The ends of the rods 6 and 9, where held by clamps 10 and 11, are threaded. The semi-cylindrical grooves in 10 and 11 are similarly tapped to insure firm grip on rods. The inner ends of the rods 6 and 9 are bent angularly, as indicated at 13 and 14 respectively, and are bent into eyes 15 and 16 for slidably engaging the respective rods.

The lower end of the rod 9 is provided with a flange 17 which may be advantageously formed of a pair of lock nuts, and

said flange 17 is adapted to be engaged by the projecting end of a lever 18formed with a slot 19, as shown in Fig. 2, closed by a yieldable spring 20. The rod 9 may be readily detached by prying open the spring 20, and may be inserted in a similar manner.

The. lever 18 operates in aislot 21 formed in the rear wall of a casing 22, and is fulcrumed between a pair ofbrackets 23 mounted on the base 24 of said casing. The casing 22 is flanged, as indicated at 25, and secured to the base 24 and to the floor or other supporting surface by screws or other means 26. The lever 18 is constructed with a projecting rear end bctweenwhich and the base .24 is arranged a coil spring 2 7 for normally maintaining the outer end of the lever in the elevated position shown in Figs.

1 and 3. The lever 18 is further notched for receiving a similar lever 28 fulcrumcd in brackets 29 supported on the base 24 of the casing, and arranged with its outer end operating in a slot 30 in the casing 22, whereby said leverZS is guided. Fitted in a similar notch in the lever 28 is the shank 31 of a foot pedal 32, and the shank is pivoted in brackets 33, also mounted on the base 24 within the casing, and the same operates in a slot 34 in the front wall of the casing 22. Adjacent the foot pedal 32 is a flanged lug 35 arranged to provide a support for the foot when not operating the pedal. This serves to keep any weight of the foot from resting on the pedal which would tend to disturb the shift key.

In operation, the foot pedal 32 is depressed, and through its engagement similarly depresses the lever 28 about its fulcrum 29. In a Similar manner the lever 28 oscillates the lever 18 in opposition to the influence of the coil spring 27, and the lever 18 draws upon the rods 9 and 6, thus de- Patented Ma as, rate.

pressing the key lever 1. When the foot pedal 32 is released, the spring 27 will reby action of its usual mechanism. The clamp device 10 and 11 permits of adjustment between'rods 6 and 9 to vary their combined length to suit the distance between the typewriter table .or desk and the fioor. v

The connection illustrated in Fig. 5 permits of the device being readily attached and detached from the typewriter, and for transportation or closing of-desk the lower end of the rod 9 may be readily disengaged from the lever 18 by prying open the spring 20. A

We are aware that dev ces for accomplishing a similar purpose have been heretofore proposed, and we do not claim the same broadly. It is to be understood, however,

that changes may be made in the herein described device without departing from the spirit of the invention, provided such: changes fall within the 'scope of the .appended claims. 7

We claim:

1. The combination with a typewriter, of

a shift key actuating mechanism therefor comprising a casing, a treadle pivotally mounted in said casing and projecting for operative engagement, a lever fulcrumed in said casing at right angles beneath the treadle and adapted to be oscillated when the treadle is depressed, a second lever pivoted in .said casing at right angles. be"

neath said first-named lever and in connection to be oscillated thereby when the treadle is depressed, spring means eonnectedtii-be tween said casing and 'lastniamed' lever foi' restoring the parts"'to'- initial' position" after each actuation, and 'a connection between said last-named lever and the Itypewriter shift key, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a typewriter,of

a shift key operating mechanism therefor comprising an angle casing arranged to be ltures.

located beneath said typewriter, a treadle mounted within said casing and projected for engagement bythe operators foot, a rest on the adjacent arm of .the casing to receive the side of the operators foot when the treadle is not to be depressed, and connections between said treadle and the. typewriter shift key, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a typewriter, of a shift key actuating mechanism therefor comprising an angle casing located beneath the typewriter, a treadle pivotally mounted 'insaid casing and projecting for engagement by the operators foot, a rest on said casing adjacent the treadle for receiving the side of the operators foot when not engaged in depressing said treadle, a lever fulcrumed in one arm of said, casing ,angularly beneath ,said treadle for engagement and operation therefrom, a second lever fulcrumed in the other arm of said angle casing and at an angle beneath said first-named lever to be oscillated thereby, means for restoring the parts to initial position after each actuation, and a connection between said last-named lever and the typewriter shift key, substantially as described.

. 4.- The combination with a typewriter, of a shift key' operating mechanism therefor including foot-operated means, and an adjustable connection between said foot-operated-means and the typewriter shift key including a pair of relatively movable rods having their ends arranged overlapped and parallel, said parallel ends being threaded, the terminals of said rods being bent and rolled to provide eyes engaging the com-i -panion rods for slidably connecting the sarne, and clamp means for securing said grodsiin'adj usted position and provided with ftapped grooves for receiving the threaded portions of said rods, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, we aflix our signa- LOUIS Jacobs.

v LOUIS A, BAIER. 

